These threads come up now and then and it seems like a lot of people of all brands don't use the tabs to help.

Why?

I always have on whatever boat, seems it is better to get up then have it plow forever. I did put trim and tab switch on my throttle, really helps smooth the transition out.

Tabs are a must.. And your right , it drives me crazy when I'm with friends that don't use them .. I become a back seat driver at that point

It didn't make much difference on my scarab 31. It was a light boat with a poker run cuddly and Kevlar hull so that might have made a difference. Heck it would plane with the drives trimmed up.

Thanks guys. One thing I've noticed is the drives on the fountain are sitting a lot higher than the Sunsation. I do realize it is for better top end but as mentioned tabs will be a must for sure!

As said tabs down drives inGreat boat good luck PS 85mph is flying

I would say it depends.. Step boats need them more. My 33 outlaw comes up pretty flat at only about 2500 rpms. I normally only use tabs if in shallow water to keep my drives/props off the sandy bottom. Even loaded, I dont really have an issue getting out hole.

Beaks that I have been in, must use them, that step doesnt do much for planing....

Some boats get quickly up on plane without any tabs... so why would you bother?

33 straight bottom x looks to be higher than any other I?O i have owned but still no tabs just ease into it slowly and it will come on plane with no fuss at all if I am not tucked all the way in with the drives blows out every time

It all depends on the boat model. My Formula 353 doesn't need any tabs, just tuck the drives in and gradually roll on the throttle.

I do remember seeing a video posted of a OL coming up (may have been yours), and it did look like it came up easy. Not sure it is step hulls, X dem would seem more of an issue.

Just for fun have you tried with tabs down and drives tucked to see what happens?